The top Republican in the Illinois House has identified some people who, in his opinion, just don’t understand.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Possible end of cash bail in Illinois
Gov. Pritzker is considering a bill the legislature has sent him to eliminate cash bail in Illinois in two years.… MORE
Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be celebrated in Bloomington, council narrowly backs eliminating Columbus Day
The City of Bloomington will recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a way to educate the community about the plight of Native Americans following a unanimous city council vote Monday night.… MORE
Governor announces new COVID-19 vaccination website
Gov. Pritzker bragged a little Monday when he helped open a new COVID vaccination site in Tinley Park, and a doctor talked up the need for everyone to get the vaccine when they can.… MORE
Sally Turner appointed as Illinois State Senator
Sally Turner is now the newest member of the Illinois Senate after being appointed over the weekend by the Republican County Chairs of McLean, Logan, Menard, Sangamon and Tazewell Counties.… MORE
Barickman: I’ll wait my turn just like everyone else
Some lawmakers in Springfield think they should move up the priority list to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But one local state Senator does not agree.… MORE
Abortion concerns divide McLean County Board members
Abortion rights became an issue at Thursday night’s McLean County Board meeting as the board approved a lease agreement to rent space at a pregnancy center that discourages abortions.… MORE
Meet the new Speaker of the Illinois House
Chris Welch (D-Hillside) is not quite used to the fact that, when somebody says, “Mister Speaker!”, they are talking to him.… MORE
Bloomington man picked to lead McLean County Democrats
McLean County Democrats’ new leader is taking over as the party aims to end Republican dominance in local politics.… MORE
Illinois Senate sworn in
There was no intrigue over someone who’d been in office fifty years, and nobody used an acceptance speech to settle a political score. But the Illinois Senate did indeed have its swearing-in ceremony Wednesday.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…